Page 6 of Mitchell
Davorion waved away the comment as if it was inconsequential. "If you win the next fight, you're in for a treat. I'll give you my finest boy. You can have him for one night."
Mitchell covered his eyes again. He should have told Davorion to shove his rewards up his ass.
Davorion and the other owners already made him fight with other individuals who were in a similar predicament, causing them to victimize one another. The last thing he wanted to do was traumatize someone.
He said nothing because it didn't matter what came out of his mouth. He knew he wouldn't make it through the next fight. He was one head blow away from never waking up again.
"Sir, I honestly don't think he'll win the next fight. Brutus did a number on him." Was Wilson shoving his near failure down Mitchell's throat? Was that his angle? Or did he honestly want to help Mitchell?
Davorion sighed. "Tell the doctor to medicate him, if that's what it takes. But get him in the ring."
"Yes, sir." And with that, Wilson must have walked off because Mitchell heard the familiar sound of his boots on the concrete. The outer door opened and then the familiar bang as it closed.
Mitchell could still feel Davorion watching him. He did the pregnant pause thing. Most people did it right before they wanted to say something they thought was profound. The thing they wanted to say was never as deep as they thought.
"You've won every fight. I can't stop asking myself why. Some would lose on purpose just so they wouldn't have to fight as much. While the strategy always ends in death, it is effective." Davorion paused again, waiting for Mitchell to speak.
Davorion wanted something to use against Mitchell. All it would take was one slip up from Mitchell. One wrong word. And Davorion had Mitchell right where he wanted him.
He really wanted to tell Davorion to go fuck himself, but if he did, Davorion would think he'd gotten to Mitchell.
Davorion deserved to die while fighting in the ring. If Brutus were still alive, he'd cause a lot of pain. That's what Davorion deserved.
"Maybe you think I'll let you go if you fight hard enough." Davorion chuckled. The sound was as dark as his words. "It just might work."
But that wasn't why Mitchell won every fight. It was because sometimes members of the audience talked to him. If he had any hope of getting out of there, it was through the spectators who wanted to talk to a winner. One of them would be a good enough person to help him.
Mitchell had been arrogant to think time was all he needed to survive. He wasn't a superhero or invincible. He couldn't take hit after hit.
"I'm a dead man walking, Davorion."
Davorion chuckled as if the thought delighted him. "There are a hundred men like you, Mitchell Burke. After you're gone, I'll find one of them to take your place."
"Good luck, dickhead." But Mitchell knew Davorion was right. He'd kidnap some poor guy who would win fight after fight until it killed him. And Mitchell couldn't do a damn thing to stop it because he'd be six feet under.
Chapter Four
Seryn wasn't sure Todd would show, but he stood at the back door of the diner, leaning against the wall. Todd bit his lip and drew his eyebrows together.
When he saw Seryn, he straightened. Whatever worries plagued him were replaced by confusion.
"Thanks for coming, Todd."
"I would say my pleasure, but it's not like you gave me much of a choice. No offense, but you're a scary dude." Todd eyed Seryn's coat. "That thing makes it way worse."
Seryn smiled. He was glad the duster had the desired effect, although Seryn hadn't worn it because of the way it looked. It was practical, with hidden pockets inside the lining big enough for weapons of all shapes and sizes.
He'd packed heavy, knowing he'd need it because the visions hadn't let up. They came one right after the other until they stacked on top of each other. It was getting more difficult to discern the future from the present. In his confused state, he already knew he'd make a mistake.
He tried not to think about his mate. It helped keep him grounded to not focus on Mitchell. Whenever he did, he saw him in a state of duress, which sent Seryn down one rabbit hole after another.
He'd never felt protective of someone before. He'd been in survival mode for most of his life. So much so, it had taken him years to come out from under the weight of it. Daruss and the rest of the Dragon Skulls reminded him every day of how living was so much better than surviving.
"Show me the entrance to the tunnels."
Todd bit his lip right before he shook his head. "You promised you'd help me get out of my situation."
Seryn nodded. "And I intend to keep the promise."
